Identifying Data 2023/24
Subject (*) Nanotechnology in Medicine Code 610G04037
Study programme
Grao en Nanociencia e Nanotecnoloxía
Descriptors Cycle Period Year Type Credits
Graduate 1st four-month period
 Fourth Optional 4.5
Language
Spanish
Galician
English
Teaching method Face-to-face
Prerequisites
Department Bioloxía
Coordinador
Fafián Labora, Juan Antonio
 E-mail
juan.labora@udc.es
Lecturers
Becerra Fernandez, Manuel
Fafián Labora, Juan Antonio
Gómez Pérez, Jennifer
Gonzalez Siso, Maria Isabel
 E-mail
manuel.becerra@udc.es
juan.labora@udc.es
i.jennifer.gomez@udc.es
isabel.gsiso@udc.es
Web
General description Preténdese que o alumnado teña unha perspectiva de que materiais, moléculas, biomoléculas e tecnoloxías utilízanse na nanotecnoloxía con aplicación directa á medicina, ademais dos protocolos de preparación e cales son as principais ferramentas de caracterización que se utilizan. Así mesmo, consideraranse as estratexias de modificación para realizar estes nanomateriales biocompatibles, vectorializar o seu transporte e, en caso necesario, controlar o seu internalización nas células, e a súa biodistribución en modelos animais para o seu emprego en nanotecnoloxía tisular. Tamén consideraremos posibles problemas de toxicidade e algúns exemplos das aplicacións biolóxicas destes materiais. Ademais de coñecer os aspectos éticos e legais do emprego da nanotecnoloxía no ámbito da medicina.

Study programme competencies
Code Study programme competences
A1 CE1 - Comprender los conceptos, principios, teorías y hechos fundamentales relacionados con la Nanociencia y Nanotecnología.
A2 CE2 - Aplicar los conceptos, principios, teorías y hechos fundamentales relacionados con la Nanociencia y Nanotecnología a la resolución de problemas de naturaleza cuantitativa o cualitativa.
A9 CE9 - Evaluar correctamente los riesgos sanitarios y de impacto ambiental asociados a la Nanociencia y la Nanotecnología.
A10 CE10 - Comprender la legislación en el ámbito del conocimiento y la aplicación de la Nanociencia y Nanotecnología. Aplicar principios éticos en este marco.
B3 CB3 - Que los estudiantes tengan la capacidad de reunir e interpretar datos relevantes (normalmente dentro de su área de estudio) para emitir juicios que incluyan una reflexión sobre temas relevantes de índole social, científica o ética
B4 CB4 - Que los estudiantes puedan transmitir información, ideas, problemas y soluciones a un público tanto especializado como no especializado
B8 CG3 - Aplicar un pensamiento crítico, lógico y creativo.
B11 CG6 - Comportarse con ética y responsabilidad social como ciudadano/a y como profesional.
B12 CG7 - Comunicarse de manera efectiva en un entorno de trabajo.
C4 CT4 - Desarrollarse para el ejercicio de una ciudadanía respetuosa con la cultura democrática, los derechos humanos y la perspectiva de género
C5 CT5 - Entender la importancia de la cultura emprendedora y conocer los medios al alcance de las personas emprendedoras
C6 CT6 - Adquirir habilidades para la vida y hábitos, rutinas y estilos de vida saludables
C7 CT7 - Desarrollar la capacidad de trabajar en equipos interdisciplinares o transdisciplinares, para ofrecer propuestas que contribuyan a un desarrollo sostenible ambiental, económico, político y social.
C8 CT8 - Valorar la importancia que tiene la investigación, la innovación y el desarrollo tecnológico en el avance socioeconómico y cultural de la sociedad

Learning aims
Learning outcomes Study programme competences
Synthesise, prepare and characterise biomaterials for use in nanomedicine A1
A2
A9
 B3
B4
B8
B12
 C5
C7
C8
To know the structural characteristics of materials and the main techniques for their identification and characterisation A1
A2
A9
 B3
B4
B12
 C5
C7
C8
Operate laboratory instrumentation and equipment for chemical, physical and biological experiments at the nanoscale A1
A2
A9
 B3
B4
B8
B12
 C5
C7
C8
Interpret data obtained from experimental data using specific software tools A1
A2
A9
 B3
B4
B8
B12
 C5
C7
C8
Understand and evaluate legislation in the field of knowledge and application of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in medicine. Apply ethical principles in this framework A1
A2
A9
A10
 B3
B4
B11
B12
 C4
C5
C6
C7
C8

Contents
Topic Sub-topic
Topic 1. Concept of nanomedicine Nanoparticles in biological environments, biocompatibility, stability and aggregation. Functionalisation of nanomaterials and their application to nanomedicine. Routes of administration of nanomaterials, advances and drawbacks and obstacles to overcome. Cellular traffic. Biological barriers. Smart nanomaterials: applications in therapy and diagnostics... Nanomaterials and immune response
Topic 2. Nanodiagnosis in vitro: nanosensors and integrated devices Nanodiagnosis: Introduction to medical diagnosis. Biosensors and integrated devices of medical interest. Biosensors: definition, characteristics and applications. Bioreceptors and analytical nanodevices. Biomarkers. Diagnostic techniques based on immunoassay (Dot blot, Western blot, ELISA, flow cytometry, laminar flow). Diagnostic techniques based on plasmonic sensors (SERS, SEF, FRET). Diagnostic techniques based on microfluidic platforms (lab on a chip)
Topic 3. Nanodiagnosis in vivo: diagnostic imaging Basic fundamentals of the different medical imaging techniques: Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomography. Positron Emission Tomography, Contrast Agents. Comparison of the different imaging modalities.
Topic 4. Tissue nanotechnology. Nanofabrication and characterisation of scaffolds Gels and self-assembled systems. Composites. Supercritical fluids and aerogels. Electrospinning and bioprinting. Tissue engineering. Introduction to regenerative medicine: regeneration processes, fibrosis, scaffolding vs. implant. Cell modulation through biomechanics, cell adhesion, roughness and nanostructure. Active substance delivery systems with application in regenerative medicine: conventional drug delivery systems, sustained release of proteins, gene therapies.
Topic 5. Nanosurgery Nanotechnology for haemostasis during surgery. Catheters with biosensors for minimally invasive surgery. Nanoscale surgery. Nanorobotics for surgery.
Topic 6. Nanotoxicology Topic 6. Nanotoxicology. Toxicity of nanoparticles. Blood compatibility. Routes of exposure. Accumulation and deposition of nanoparticles in tissues. Measures to reduce nanoparticle toxicity. Environmental effects of nanoparticles. FDA e EMA regulation of nanobiotechnology products.
Topic 7. Ethical and legal aspects Ethical and legal aspects in Nanotechnology in Medicine

Planning
Methodologies / tests Competencies Ordinary class hours Student’s personal work hours Total hours
Laboratory practice A9 B3 B4 B8 B11 B12 C7 10 20 30
Supervised projects A2 A10 B3 B4 B8 B11 B12 C4 C7 7 14 21
Mixed objective/subjective test A1 A2 A9 A10 B3 B8 C8 5.5 0 5.5
Guest lecture / keynote speech A1 A2 A9 A10 C5 C6 C8 18 36 54
 
Personalized attention 2 0 2
 
(*)The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students.

Methodologies
Methodologies Description
Laboratory practice Development of techniques of current use in nanoscience research in medicine, complementing the knowledge imparted in the master session.
Supervised projects Final activity reflecting the theoretical and methodological mastery of the subject.
Mixed objective/subjective test Mixed test used for the assessment of learning.
Guest lecture / keynote speech The topics of the subject will be taught by the lecturers with the help of audiovisual aids. The relevant documentation will be made available to students on the Virtual Campus.

Personalized attention
Methodologies
Supervised projects
Laboratory practice
Description
Laboratory practice. For students, personalised tutorials will be provided, focusing on guidance for problem solving, resolving doubts and clarifications. This personalised attention will be carried out throughout the course and upon request of the students.
Supervised projects. Students may also request personalised direct and/or virtual tutorials and resolve specific doubts by e-mail.

Assessment
Methodologies Competencies Description Qualification
Mixed objective/subjective test A1 A2 A9 A10 B3 B8 C8 Proba que pode integrar preguntas tipo de probas de ensaio e preguntas tipo de probas obxectivas.
En canto a preguntas de ensaio, recolle preguntas abertas de desenvolvemento. Ademais, en canto preguntas obxectivas, pode combinar preguntas de resposta múltiple, de ordenación, de resposta breve, de discriminación, de completar e/o de asociación. múltiple. 		60
Supervised projects A2 A10 B3 B4 B8 B11 B12 C4 C7 O alumnado levará a cabo un traballo en grupos ou individualmente e presentación oral relacionados con algún tema da materia. 25
Laboratory practice A9 B3 B4 B8 B11 B12 C7 As prácticas de laboratorio considéranse unha actividade de asistencia obrigatoria para superar a materia. A avaliación dos coñecementos adquiridos avaliarase por unha memoria de prácticas desenvolvida polo alumnado. 15
 
Assessment comments
 
 
LABORATORY PRACTICES are mandatory. Absence from practicals must be duly justified in order to pass the subject.
First and second chance: In order to pass the subject a 5 must be obtained in the mixed test. If the qualification resulting from the sum of all the evaluable activities is equal to or higher than 5, but the indicated requirement is not met, the qualification will be 4.0 (fail).
The mixed test may consist of any of the following and/or a combination of several: Essay questions: open-ended essay questions, multiple-choice questions (one or more of the answers may be true), ranking questions, short answer questions, discrimination questions, fill-in-the-blank questions, association questions.
It is considered as Not Presented (NP) when the student does not take the test in the official evaluation period.
Plagiarism and the use of non-original material, including material obtained from the internet, without express indication of its origin and, if applicable, the permission of its author, will be graded with a fail (0.0) in the activity. If a student copies during an exam, this will result in a fail (0.0) in the subject in the corresponding exam session.
Grading system: Numerical from 0 to 10, with 10 being the highest mark and 5 a pass. The qualification system will be expressed by numerical qualification in accordance with the provisions of art. 5 of Royal Decree 1125/2003 of 5 September (BOE 18 September), which establishes the European credit system and the qualification system for official university degrees valid throughout the national territory. Grading system: 0-4.9=Suspenso, 5-6.9=Aprobado, 7-8.9=Notable, 9-10=Sobresaliente, 9-10 Matrícula de Honor (Graciable).
Honours will be awarded preferentially to students who achieve a grade equal to or higher than 9 at the first opportunity (January).
In the case of part-time students who are exempt from attendance, additional measures may be adopted to enable them to pass the subject, such as flexibility in the deadline for submitting assignments, flexibility in the timetable for practicals or the performance of a global test to assess the learning outcomes. 
Fraudulent performance in the assessment tests or activities, once verified, will directly lead to a failing grade of "0" in the subject at the corresponding time.

Sources of information
Basic Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu (2017). Nano- and Microscale Drug Delivery Systems. "Design and Fabrication". Elsevier
Yi Ge, Songjun Li, Shenqi Wang, Richard Moore (2014). Nanomedicine: Principles and Perspectives "Nanostructure Science and Technology". Springer
A Villaverde (2011). Nanoparticles in translational science and medicine. "Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science". Elsevier
Dimitrios P. Nikolelis and Georgia-Paraskevi Nikoleli (2018). Nanotechnology and biosensors. Elsevier

Complementary (). Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence and Translation, Stanford University. http://nano.cancer.gov/action/programs/stanford/
(). Links to the European Technology Platform for Nanomedicine. http://www.etp-nanomedicine.eu/public.
(). The International Association of Nanotechnology . http://www.ianano.org


Recommendations
Subjects that it is recommended to have taken before
Techniques of Characterisation of Nanomaterials 2/610G04030
Techniques of Characterisation of Nanomaterials 1/610G04025
Synthesis and Preparation of Nanomaterials/610G04020
Molecular and Metabolic Biochemistry/610G04023
Cell Biology/610G04003
Integrated Basic Laboratory/610G04004

Subjects that are recommended to be taken simultaneously
Molecular Machines/610G04036

Subjects that continue the syllabus
Nanotechnology in Pharmacy/610G04043
Nanofabrication/610G04040

Other comments

Recommendations Sustainability Environment, People and Gender Equality.

To help achieve an immediate sustainable environment and comply with the objective of action number 5: "Healthy, environmentally and socially sustainable teaching and research" of the "Green Campus Action Plan of the Faculty of Science".

1.- The delivery of the documentary work to be carried out in this subject will be done through Moodle, in digital format without the need to print them.

2.- The importance of ethical principles related to the values of sustainability in personal and professional behaviour must be taken into account.

3. The full integration of students who, for physical, sensory, mental or socio-cultural reasons, experience difficulties in gaining suitable, equal and beneficial access to university life will be facilitated.

4. Work will be carried out to identify and modify sexist prejudices and attitudes, and the environment will be influenced in order to modify them and promote values of respect and equality. Likewise, if adverse gender-based situations are identified, measures will be taken to correct them.

5. It is understood that university students must have acquired language skills in relation to oral and written expression. Therefore, spelling (spelling, accentuation and punctuation), grammatical and lexical correctness in assignments and exams will be essential and compulsory in order to pass the subject.


(*)The teaching guide is the document in which the URV publishes the information about all its courses. It is a public document and cannot be modified. Only in exceptional cases can it be revised by the competent agent or duly revised so that it is in line with current legislation.